The holiday season is in full swing, and there’s no shortage of events to attend and light displays to marvel at here in Arizona. Here are some of the events and activities we’re most looking forward to this holiday season.
The Best Holiday Light Displays in Arizona
World of Illumination
Dates: Now-Dec. 29. Tuesday through Sunday, 6 to 10 p.m. nightly.
Locations: Desert Diamond Casino and Tempe Diablo Stadium
Cost: Ticket prices per car start at $39.99 plus tax.
Gather your family and friends together in the car and get ready to drive underneath and around plenty of dazzling light displays. Valley residents have two different locations to check out. The Glendale location’s theme is Rockin’ Christmas, and visitors can expect to hear plenty of festive rock songs. If you’re looking for even more holiday drive-thru fun, the Tempe location’s theme is Enchanted Safari, and visitors can anticipate, you guessed it, plenty of animal light displays.
Desert Farm Lights
Photo courtesy of Desert Farm Lights
Location: 14629 W. Peoria Ave. in Waddell
Dates: Now-Dec. 29. Sunday through Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 to 11 p.m.
Cost: Ticket prices start at $22.99.
When visitors purchase tickets to the West Valley’s Desert Farm Lights, they can look forward to plenty of holiday activities. This includes a 10-minute jolly journey train ride, a 90-foot fun slide, bungee trampolines, live entertainment, access to fire pits, and yard games. Please note that Desert Farm Lights is cashless.
ZooLights
Dates: Now-Jan. 12, 2025, 5:30 to 10 p.m.
Cost: Tickets purchased online cost $30 per person. Tickets at the door cost $35.
Every winter, the Phoenix Zoo is transformed into a holiday destination at night. During ZooLights, visitors can stroll the zoo’s many pathways and check out millions of colorful lights. Specifically, they’ll get to see a Lake Lights Show featuring a 50-foot LED tree and 50 animal lanterns intended to remind visitors of the Zoo’s dedication to conservation. Guests can also enjoy hot cocoa and s’mores and take pictures with Santa.
Most of the animals will not be visible during this time. If you’d like to see animal life, the zoo recommends visiting during daytime hours.
On Jan. 13 and 14, visitors can drive underneath a 200-foot light tunnel as part of Cruise ZooLights. This requires a separate ticket that costs $150 per general vehicle.
Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide
Photo courtesy of Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide
Dates: Now-Dec. 23, Dec. 25-29, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Cost: $25 on weeknights, $30 on weekends. Kids 3 & under enter free.
Pratt Brothers Christmas made its debut last year and is back again with over 7 million lights across Rawhide Western Town’s 15 acres.
LightsUp! A Festival of Illumination at the Tucson Botanical Garden
Dates: Now-Jan. 12, Tuesday through Sunday from 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Cost: Tickets have dynamic pricing depending on when you visit. At the time of this writing, adult tickets cost $18 each and children ages 4-17 cost $16.
The Tucson Botanical Garden will be all aglow with over 1 million lights as part of its third annual LightsUp! A Festival of Illumination. Specifically, guests can stroll through six themed light areas and see dancing sculptures and luminaria displays. LightsUp! is open rain or shine.
READ MORE: Your holiday light display guide for Phoenix and Tucson
The Best Christmas Events in Arizona
The Best Christmas Events in Phoenix
‘Tis the Season: Holidays at MIM
Dates: Dec. 14 and 15, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Event is included with paid admission. General admission costs $20 for adults, $15 for teens, and $10 for children.
The Musical Instrument Museum will be hosting special holiday activities on Dec. 14 and 15. Being a museum dedicated to instruments, these activities revolve around music in some way. On those two days, attendees can enjoy listening to Dickens carolers and learn more about holiday mumming from a curator. Kids can also make handbells as a craft. Attendees also can listen to live tunes courtesy of the following artists: mariachi Alma de mi Pueblo, Hanukkah celebrations with Rural Street Klezmer, New Orleans-style jazz by The Hot Beignets, and festive handbell performance by Las Palomas del Norte Handbell Ensemble.
Las Noches de Las Luminaries
Photo courtesy of Desert Botanical Garden
Dates: Dec.13-15, 18-23, 26-30.
Cost: Adult general admission tickets cost $41.95; children’s tickets cost $16.95.
During the holiday season, the Desert Botanical Garden celebrates with Las Noches de Las Luminaries. During select nights throughout December, visitors can stroll the Garden’s pathways, which will be lined with luminarias or paper bags with real candles inside them as they listen to live music and check out light displays. New this year, visitors can also see striking lit-up geometric art sculptures located throughout the garden as part of the “Light Bloom” exhibit. Expect a true feast for the senses if you attend.
Christmas at the Princess
Photo courtesy of Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.
Dates: Nov. 22 to Jan. 4, 2025; Monday through Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m.; Friday to Sunday, 4 to 11 p.m. Starting Dec. 18, hours are from 4 to 11 p.m.
Cost: General admission tickets cost $35 per person. These tickets do not include parking. Self-parking costs $35 per vehicle.
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess commemorates the holidays in a big way as part of its annual Christmas at the Princess celebration. The resort has activities for kids and adults alike. Kids can take a spin on the Ferris wheel, take photos with Santa, and check out millions of lights located throughout the resort. Adults can enjoy a variety of food and drink at the fire tables and igloos, imbibe at the Chateau Champagne, and sit around the fire tables at the ice skating rink on the property.
Another unique offering? The resort is also offering a holiday proposal package if you’re looking to pop the question to your special someone.
READ MORE: 12 ways to get out & celebrate the holidays in Metro Phoenix
The Best Christmas Events in Scottsdale
Scottsdazzle
Dates: Now-Dec. 31
Scottsdale goes all out for the holiday season and has dubbed the celebrations Scottsdazzle. One perk of Scottsdazzle? Many of the events are free to attend. Here are a few highlights:
On Dec.14 and 21, families can Meet Santa at the Market. They can stroll by vendor booths and check out goods that would make great gifts. Visits and photos with Santa are free. Santa will be in attendance from 9 a.m. to noon. On Dec. 15, kids can watch a magic show from 3 to 5 p.m. Visit scottsdazzle.com to see a complete list of events.
Holly Jolly Market
Dates: Dec. 14, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Admission is free. RSVP here.
Andaz Scottsdale will partner with Creative Communal for the hotel’s annual holiday market. Local makers will gather at the property, and guests can start their holiday gift shopping. Attendees can also enjoy live music.
The Best New Year’s Eve Events in Arizona
New Year’s Eve Pinecone Drop
23 N. Leroux Street, Flagstaff
Looking for something slightly unconventional this New Year’s Eve? Look no further than Flagstaff’s Pinecone Drop. The six foot, 70 pound pinecone is hoisted above the Weatherford Hotel before making its descent at midnight. There’s a restaurant and bar on location as well if you want a bite to eat or a drink before the big moment.
Boot Drop
Whiskey Row, Downtown Prescott
Downtown Prescott is hosting its 14th annual Boot Drop where an illuminated boot will be—you guessed it—dropped at 10 p.m. and then again at midnight. Carnival games, live music, food trucks, giveaways, and vendors will all be available in the surrounding area if you want to eat and shop while you wait.
Deuce of Clubs Drop
In front of Show Low Public Library, 181 N. 9th Street, Show Low
Show Low’s Deuce of Clubs Drop takes place from 10 p.m. until midnight on December 31. The family-friendly event is free to attend, and there will be live music, concession stands, and fire pits to keep you warm. There will also be a fireworks display at the end of the evening.
